Research & Statistics

• Analysis & Evaluation
• History & Statistics

Analysis & Evaluation

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula: Shooting, Hostage Taking, Kidnapping
Wave—May/June 2004 v.1.1 (PDF)
IntelCenter, July 10, 2004
This document assesses a wave of hostage takings, shootings, and kidnappings of American and foreign military personnel and civilian noncombatants from May to June 2004 by al-Qaeda's regional arm in Saudi Arabia. At least seven attacks were conducted in rapid succession in three cities: al-Kohbar, Riyadh, and Yanbu.

Better Management Oversight and Internal Controls Needed to Ensure Accuracy of Terrorism-Related Conviction Statistics (PDF)
U.S. General Accounting Office, January 2003
The U.S. General Accounting Office has recommended that the U.S. Department of Justice implement a formal system to oversee and validate the accuracy of case classification and conviction data entered in the Executive Office for the United States Attorneys case tracking system. The U.S. Attorney General has accepted this evaluation and has agreed to adopt the recommendation to improve the accuracy and reliability of terrorism-related statistics.

Beyond September 11th: An Account of Post-Disaster Research (PDF)
Natural Hazards Research and ApplicationsInformationCenter, September 2003
This publication includes selections written by researchers who were mobilized to conduct field investigations in the immediate aftermath of the September 11th disaster. Each selection takes a distinct view of the disaster; their topics span engineering, information technology, and behavioral sciences. The findings, lessons, and recommendations collected in the book are meant to contribute to the further exploration and dissemination of information to help people, localities, and organizations make risk-informed decisions.

Call-Tracking Data and the Public Health Response to Bioterrorism-Related Anthrax
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, October 2002
In response to the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in September 2001, preestablished emergency operations centers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were combined into an agencywide Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to help coordinate the public health response. This online article describes the nature and volume of telephone calls received by the EOC.

Collaboration Between Public Health and Law Enforcement: New Paradigms and Partnerships for Bioterrorism Planning and Response
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, October 2002
The biological attacks with powders containing Bacillus anthracis sent through the mail during September and October 2001 led to unprecedented public health and law enforcement investigations that involved thousands of investigators from federal, state, and local agencies. This online article describes the collaborations between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the FBI during the investigation of the 2001 anthrax attacks and highlights the challenges and successes of public health and law enforcement collaborations in general.

Combating Terrorism: Threat and Risk Assessments Can Help Prioritize and Target Program Investments (ASCII or PDF)
U.S. General Accounting Office, April 1998
This report reviews the implementation of the Nunn-Lugar-Domenici (NLD) domestic preparedness program, including an assessment of the program's status and progress, the criteria and methodology used to select cities that receive assistance, the approach used to determine the capabilities and needs of participating cities, and the potential cost of equipping a city to respond to a terrorist incident involving a weapon of mass destruction.

Countering the Changing Threat of International Terrorism
National Commission on Terrorism, June 2000
This report presents the results of the National Commission on Terrorism's evaluation of laws, policies, and practices for preventing and punishing terrorism directed at American citizens. It focuses on the gap between sound policies and poor implementation.

Counter-Terrorism Training Coordination Working Group: 2002 Annual Report (PDF)
Counter-Terrorism Training Coordination Working Group (CTTCWG), 2003
CTTCWG examines the availability, quality, effectiveness, consistency, and coordination of U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and non-DOJ justice-related anti-terrorism technical assistance and training activities. The annual report describes the background and implementation of the group and its member agencies and major initiatives.

Defense Budget: Tracking of Emergency Response Funds for the War on Terrorism (PDF)
U.S. General Accounting Office, April 2003
This report reviews the Department of Defense's (DOD's) management of emergency response funds. Specifically, the report examines (1) DOD's adherence to the Office of Management and Budget guidance in managing funds, (2) the sufficiency of DOD's guidance on the use of these funds, and (3) DOD's ability to track the use of emergency response funds.

Effects of Catastrophic Events on Transportation System Management and Operations: Executive Summary of the August 2003 Northeast Blackout, Great Lakes and New York City (Final Report)
U.S. Department of Transportation, May 2004
This report chronicles the incidents of August 14, 2003, in which "a series of seemingly small events" resulted in the largest blackout in U.S. history, affecting eight states and the maritime Canadian provinces. A plan of action to properly respond to possible future events of this magnitude is proposed.

The Emergency Alert System (EAS): An Assessment (PDF)
Partnership for Public Warning, February 2004
This document assesses past and present versions of the Emergency Alert System and makes recommendations for improvements based on significant policy, management, and operational challenges of the current system.

Emergency Responder Injuries & Fatalities: An Analysis of Surveillance Data (PDF)
RAND Corporation, March 2004
This report provides a collection of available data on casualties experienced by the emergency responder community. An analysis of the data, along with the interests and concerns of the emergency responder community and the expertise of staff from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, will help develop potential objectives and related research tasks directed at personal protective technologies for emergency responders.

Foreign Terrorist Organizations (PDF)
Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress, February 2004
This report analyzes the status of many major foreign terrorist organizations that are a threat to the United States, placing special emphasis on issues of potential concern to Congress. It also characterizes each group in several categories, such as goals and objectives, history, tactics and activities, and areas of operation.

For a Few Dollars More: How al Qaeda Moved Into the Diamond Trade
Global Witness Limited, April 2003
This report chronicles an investigation by the Nobel-nominated Global Witness organization showing how al Qaeda easily infiltrated diamond trading networks. By taking advantage of illicit trading structures, weak government and trade regulations, organized criminal networks, and politically corrupt regimes, al Qaeda has raised funds for their operatives and laundered significant sums of money.

A Global Overview of Narcotics-Funded Terrorist and Other Extremist Groups (PDF)
Federal Research Division, Library of Congress, May 2002
This report assesses the intersection between selected anti-U.S. terrorist and extremist groups and organized crime, specifically related to drug trafficking around the world (e.g., Latin America, Central and East Asia, Southern Europe, and the Middle East) and examines how this relationship may be vulnerable to countermeasures.

Half of Americans Fear Terrorists Might Mount Successful Cyber-Attacks Against Key American Businesses and Utilities (PDF)
Pew Internet & American Life Project, August 2003
Federal Computer Week magazine and the Pew Internet & American Life Project conducted a survey to assess public sentiment about America's emergency preparedness and warning systems 2 years after the September 11 terror attacks. The survey results presented in this memo describe Americans' fear of cyberterrorism, their viewpoints on the current warning system, and where they go for information on terrorism.

Holy War, Inc.: Inside the Secret World of Osama bin Laden
Peter L. Bergen, Touchstone, 2002
In this volume, Peter Bergen, one of a handful of Western journalists who has interviewed Osama bin Laden, recounts the evolution of the al Qaeda terrorist network, characterizing it as "a corporation that has exploited modern technology and weaponry in the service of global terrorism and the destruction of the West." This book is available through libraries, bookstores, and online vendors.

Homeland Security: Selected Recommendations from Congressionally Chartered Commissions and GAO (PDF)
U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO), March 2004
Hundreds of recommendations aimed at improving homeland security strategic planning and program development have been made by nationally chartered commissions and GAO. This report identifies such recommendations and organizes them by critical mission and topical areas.

Jihad: The Rise of Militant Islam in Central Asia
Ahmed Rashid, Yale University Press, 2002
This book explores terrorism and religious extremism in five central Asian republics (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan) adjacent to Afghanistan and its implications for the United States and the global war on terror.

Mass Transit Defends Itself Against Terrorism
Steve Dunham, March 2002
In this article by a public transit advocate, the author summarizes the history of attacks on public transportation and discusses the renewed emphasis on security, the role of transportation in emergency response, the risks of different forms of transportation, preparedness planning, and industry responses (including security improvements and public education efforts).

Militant Islam in Southeast Asia: Crucible of Terror
Zachary Abuza, Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2003
Drawing on intensive investigation and interviews with key militants, this book explains the emergence of radical Islamist groups in the region and examines Al Qaeda's role as an organizational catalyst. It also analyzes national strategies for combating, co-opting, and coping with militant Islamist groups.

National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States: Monograph on Terrorist Financing: Staff Report to the Commission (PDF)
J. Roth, D. Greenburg, and S. Wille, August 21, 2004
Some of the specialized staff work of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (the 9/11 Commission), although not appropriate for inclusion in the Commission's final report, offered substantial information or analysis that supplemented the final report and could be prepared to a publishable standard before the Commission expired. This report on terrorist financing represents the work and views of the Commission staff and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Commissioners.

Nations Hospitable to Organized Crime and Terrorism (PDF)
Federal Research Division, Library of Congress, October 2003
This report assesses conditions that contribute or are potentially hospitable to transnational criminal activity and terrorist activity in selected regions of the world, including countries bordering the United States.

Origins of Terrorism: Psychologies, Ideologies, Theologies, States of Mind
Edited by Walter Reich, The Woodrow Wilson Center Press, 1998
This study examines and explains from a psychological perspective the nature and sources of terrorists' beliefs, actions, goals, worldviews, and states of mind. The book is available from libraries, bookstores, and online vendors.

Overstay Tracking: A Key Component of Homeland Security and a Layered Defense (PDF)
U.S. General Accounting Office, May 21, 2004
This report describes the extent of and implications related to foreign visitors overstaying their authorized periods of admission in the United States, particularly the impact that the weak tracking system and significant levels of overstaying may have on domestic security.

Patterns of Global Terrorism 2002
U.S. Department of State, April 2003
As required by law, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell has released this annual report briefing Congress on the terrorist activities of certain groups and countries. The lowest level of terrorism in 30 years was reported in 2002, with incidents of international terrorism declining by 44 percent from the previous year.

Patterns of Global Terrorism 2003
U.S. Department of State, April 2004
This annual report to Congress presents an overview of efforts in 2003 by countries that have joined the United States in the war against terrorism. A related report, The Department of State's Patterns of Global Terrorism Report: Trends, State Sponsors, and Related Issues (PDF), summarizes the full-length annual report.

Review of EPA Homeland Security Efforts: Safe Buildings Program Research Implementation Plan
National Academies Press, 2003
This book presents findings and recommendations from a review of the Research Implementation Plan (RIP), a component of the Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Buildings Program. RIP outlines research areas, proposals, and timeframes of the Safe Buildings Program. It is designed to address building protection and decontamination needs, identify high-priority needs for immediate action, and determine how to meet those needs.

Small-scale Terrorist Attacks Using Chemical and Biological Agents: An Assessment Framework and Preliminary Comparisons (PDF)
Dana A. Shea and Frank Gottron, Congressional Research Service, May 20, 2004
This report addresses the potential use of chemical and biological (C/B) agents, including toxins, as part of a small-scale, targeted attack. The material is designed to be used as a potential springboard to assess and prioritize responses to various C/B agents.

A Special TRAC Report: Criminal Enforcement Against Terrorists
Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), Syracuse University, December 2001
This special report discusses the gap between the number of reported federal investigations of terrorists and the number of cases referred to the U.S. Department of Justice for prosecution, describes reasons for the discrepancy, and presents other indicators of federal efforts to contain domestic and international terrorism.

Spent Nuclear Fuel: Options Exist to Further Enhance Security (PDF)
U.S. General Accounting Office, August 2003
Based on studies by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, this report concluded that the risk of radiological contamination to the public in the event of a terrorist attack or accident would be low. It noted that the spent fuel from nuclear reactors is difficult to disperse and is secured in protective metal containers. Pervasive harm could only occur under extreme circumstances involving spent fuel stored in storage pools.

State Spending of Homeland Security Funds (PDF)
National Emergency Management Association, April 2003
This report presents survey findings from the National Emergency Management Association, which surveyed states about the administration of homeland security funding provided by the Federal Government. A total of 37 states and two territories responded to the survey. Of all the grant funds provided thus far, none have been available to reimburse state and local governments for protective measures and response costs associated with the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks or the subsequent threat level increases.

Terror in the Mind of God: The Global Rise of Religious Violence
Mark Juergensmeyer, University of California Press, © 2000/2001/2003
This study of religious terrorism includes personal interviews with 1993 World Trade Center bomber Mahmud Abouhalima, Christian Right activist Mike Bray, Hamas leaders Sheik Yassin and Abdul Azis Rantisi, and Sikh political leader Simranjit Singh Mann. The newest revision is set for release in September 2003. This book is available through libraries, bookstores, and online vendors.

Terror in the Name of God: Why Religious Militants Kill
Jessica Stern, HarperCollins Publishers, August 2003
This book explains how terrorist organizations are formed by opportunistic leaders who use religion as both motivation and justification to recruit the disenfranchised; depicts how moral fervor is transformed into sophisticated organizations that strive for money, power, and attention; and suggests measures to counter terrorism.

Terrorism and National Security: Issues and Trends (PDF)
Raphael Perl, Congressional Research Service, July 6, 2004 (update)
This brief examines international terrorist actions, terrorist threats, and U.S. policy response.

Terrorism and Organized Hate Crime Intelligence Gathering, Analysis, and Investigations
Michael R. Ronczkowski, CRC Press, 2004
The author provides a framework for exploring the issues encountered by new and existing analysts and investigators, including what information to gather and how to analyze it and the effectiveness of crime analysts investigating terrorism. This book is available through libraries, bookstores, and online vendors.

Terrorism and Political Violence
Frank Cass Publishers, Published Quarterly
In addition to focusing on the political meaning of terrorist activity, this journal examines related forms of violence by rebels and states, and the links among political violence, organized crime, protest, rebellion, revolution, and human rights.

Terrorist Financing: U.S. Agencies Should Systematically Assess Terrorists' Use of Alternative Financing Mechanisms (PDF)
U.S. General Accounting Office, November 14, 2003
This report assesses the nature of terrorists' use of key alternative financing mechanisms for earning, moving, and storing assets; what is known about the extent of terrorists' use of alternative financing mechanisms; and challenges the U.S. government faces in monitoring terrorists' use of alternative financing.

Terrorist and Organized Crime Groups in the Tri-Border Area (TBA) of South America (PDF)
Federal Research Division, Library of Congress, July 2003
This report assesses the activities of organized crime groups, terrorist groups, and narcotics traffickers in the border area of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. It concludes that since 1999 Islamic terrorist groups have used this area for fundraising, recruiting, and plotting terrorist attacks.

Trends in State Terrorism Preparedness
National Emergency Management Association, December 2001
This report presents a snapshot of domestic preparedness activities in each state, showcasing common as well as unique approaches.

The USA PATRIOT Act: A Legal Analysis (PDF)
Charles Doyle, Congressional Research Service, April 15, 2002
This report explains several legislation aspects embodied by the USA PATRIOT Act: criminal and foreign intelligence investigations, money laundering, alien terrorists and victims, and crimes and penalties. An abbreviated version of this report (The USA PATRIOT ACT: A Sketch) is also available.

Wrong Then, Wrong Now: Racial Profiling Before & After September 11, 2001 (PDF)
Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund, 2003
In the months preceding September 11, a national consensus emerged on the need to combat racial profiling. In the fearful aftermath of the terrorist attacks, some reevaluated their views. This report compares the post-September 11 practice of "traditional" street-level racial profiling of Arabs, Muslims, and South Asians. It concludes that profiling is just as wrong now as it was before the war on terrorism began.

History & Statistics

9/11 and Terrorist Travel: Staff Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (PDF)
T.R. Eldridge, S. Ginsburg, W.T. Hempel II, J.L. Kephart, and K. Moore, August 21, 2004
Some of the specialized staff work of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (the (9/11 Commission), although not appropriate for inclusion in the Commission's final report, offered substantial information or analysis that supplemented the final report and could be prepared to a publishable standard before the Commission expired. This study on immigration, border security, and terrorist travel issues represents the work and views of the Commission staff and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Commissioners.

1997 Bombing Incidents (PDF)
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Bomb Data Center
This bulletin provides statistics on criminal bombing incidents that occurred in the United States in 1997. Bombing data are presented by state, region, target, time of occurrence, and time of year.

2002 Yearbook of Immigration Statistics
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), October 2003
Offered on behalf of DHS, this technical report provides immigration-related data and historical information. A few of the topics explored include immigrants admitted for lawful permanent residence, refugees approved and admitted, aliens naturalized, and deportable aliens located and removed. Printed copies can be obtained by calling the National Technical Information Service at 1-800-553-6847 or 703-605-6000.

Federal Funding To Combat Terrorism, Including Defense Against Weapons of Mass Destruction, FY 1998-2001
Center for Nonproliferation Studies, 2001
This resource presents tables showing federal funding in aggregate and by agency, allocated to combat terrorism for fiscal years 1998-2001. Requested federal funding for fiscal year 2001 is included.

The Financial War Against Terrorism
Center for Defense Information, March 2002
This article examines the war on terrorism in the context of terrorist assets and finances. The author describes the nature and effects of the President's executive order to freeze the U.S. assets and block the U.S. transactions of terrorists and discusses the importance of international cooperation to fight terrorism financially.

Foreign Terrorist Organizations
U.S. Department of State, October 1999
Intended as a guide for the general reader, this report lists the 28 entities identified by the U.S. Department of State in October 1999 as foreign terrorist organizations (such official designation is made every 2 years). Descriptions of each organization include their activities, strengths, locations, and sources of external aid.

Frontline: In Search of bin Laden (a.k.a. Hunting bin Laden)
Public Broadcasting Service
This PBS-produced video and its companion web site investigate the life, ideology, and crimes of Osama bin Laden and the al Qaeda terrorist network.

Major Conventional Terrorist Incidents 1980s to 2000
Center for Nonproliferation Studies, 2000
This chronology briefly describes more than 15 major terrorist incidents that occurred in the United States and abroad between 1980 and 2000.

Major Terrorism Events and Their U.S. Outcomes (1988–2001) (Working Paper #107)
National Hazards Research & Applications Information Center, Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado, March 2003
This report documents and examines major terrorist events from 1988 to 2001. The report outlines the findings of a project designed to (1) systematically identify and analyze major defining events and document them in a narrative chronology, (2) identify and describe the major outcomes from each defining event, and (3) describe the causal relationships between the events and their major outcomes.

National Atlas of the United States®
This largely digital edition of the National Atlas of the United States delivers easy to use, maplike views of America’s natural and sociocultural landscapes. The interactive browser allows users to make their own maps. This resource can also be used to view detailed aerial photographs and large-scale topographic maps.

National Transportation Statistics 2000 (PDF)
U.S. Department of Transportation, April 2001
This publication presents information on the U.S. transportation system, including its physical components, safety record, economic performance, energy use, and environmental impacts.

Patterns of Global Terrorism, 2001
U.S. Department of State, May 2002
This report examines the danger that terrorism poses to the world and efforts of the United States and international partners to defeat it. Aspects of the war on terrorism include diplomatic actions to form a global coalition against terror, cooperation among intelligence agencies, enhanced and cooperative law enforcement efforts, economic actions to deny financial support to terrorism, and military operations and assistance.

Patterns of Global Terrorism, 2000
U.S. Department of State, April 2001
This report examines the danger that terrorism poses to the world and efforts of the United States and international partners to defeat it. The report is issued annually per congressional mandate. See the archive for reports from 1995 through 1999.

Political Violence Against Americans, 1998 (PDF)
U.S. Department of State, 1998
This report provides an overview of the political violence that American citizens and interests encountered abroad in 1998. Incidents included in the report were selected based on their seriousness, the use of unusual tactics or weapons, or the specific targeting of representatives of the United States.

Significant Incidents of Political Violence Against Americans, 1997 (PDF)
U.S. Department of State, 1997
This report provides an overview of the political violence that American citizens and interests encountered abroad in 1997.

Tabernacle of Hate: Why They Bombed Oklahoma City
Kerry Noble, Voyageur Publishing, 1998
As a former leader of a right-wing, extremist, Christian Identity organization, the author provides a unique view of this movement, which has been closely linked with domestic terrorism. This book is available through libraries, bookstores, and online vendors.

Terrorism in the United States, 1999 (PDF)
Federal Bureau of Investigation, 1999
This annual publication reviews the current year's terrorist incidents, suspected terrorist incidents, arrests that prevented terrorist attacks, and other significant events. The report also describes 30-year feuds in domestic and international terrorism and the FBI's response.

Terrorism: Middle Eastern Groups and State Sponsors, 1999
Congressional Research Service, August 1999
This report analyzes developments in Middle Eastern terrorism between January 1998 and June 1999. It discusses groups attempting to derail the Arab-Israeli peace process; those fighting to overthrow moderate, pro-U.S. governments; and those attempting to cause the United States to withdraw its troops from Middle Eastern countries. It contains an extensive section on terrorist financier Usama bin Laden and his organization.

Unclassified Report to Congress on the Acquisition of Technology Relating to Weapons of Mass Destruction and Advanced Conventional Munitions
Central Intelligence Agency, September 2001
This report summarizes (by country) all acquisition activities related to weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear, chemical, biological, and advanced conventional weapons, that occurred between July 1, 2000, and December 31, 2000.

WMD Terrorism and Usama bin Laden
Center for Nonproliferation Studies, March 2001
This report discusses the trial of Usama bin Laden and others for the August 7, 1998, bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania and describes bin Laden's efforts to acquire weapons of mass destruction.

The World Factbook 2001
Central Intelligence Agency, 2001
This publication provides statistical information on all the countries in the world, including data on populations, militaries, geography, governments, and transnational issues.